Removal Procedure
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage many solid-state electrical components. ESD susceptible components may or may not be labeled with the ESD symbol. Handle all electrical components carefully. Use the following precautions in order to avoid ESD damage:
- Touch a metal ground point in order to remove your body's static charge before servicing any electronic component; especially after sliding across the vehicle seat.
- Do not touch exposed terminals. Terminals may connect to circuits susceptible the ESD damage.
- Do not allow tools to contact exposed terminals when servicing connectors.
- Do not remove components from their protective packaging until required to do so.
- Avoid the following actions unless required by the diagnostic procedure:
- Jumpering or grounding of the components or connectors.
- Connecting test equipment probes to components or connectors. Connect the ground lead first when using test probes.
- Ground the protective packaging of any component before opening. Do not rest solid-state components on metal workbenches, or on top of TVs, radios, or other electrical devices.
During removal and installation, all EPS components including mechanical and / or electrical is extremely susceptible to damage. Dropping or prying on any EPS component may cause internal damage. If damage occurs or a part is dropped, the EPS component must be replaced.
Care must be taken during removal and installation of the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) components to not hit or break the EPS motor / controller module or module harness connectors. If the EPS motor / controller module or module connectors are damaged, the complete component must be replaced.
Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle (1) - Remove - Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle Removal and Installation (AWD) , or Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle Removal and Installation (FWD) , or Drivetrain and Front Suspension Cradle Removal and Installation (Z71)
Front Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD [4x]
- Front Stabilizer Shaft (2) - Remove
Steering Gear Heat Shield Bolt (1) - Remove [4x]
- Steering Gear Heat Shield (2) - Remove
Steering Gear Bolt (1) - Remove
- Steering Gear Bolt (2) - Remove [2x]
- Electric Belt Drive Rack and Pinion Steering Gear (3) - Remove
- The torque sensor wiring harness is NOT repairable. Do NOT attempt to repair the harness under any circumstances. If the harness is damaged then the steering gear MUST be replaced.
- When installing the steering gear in a vise and clamping on the barrel of the steering gear housing, do NOT pinch the torque sensor wiring harness. If available, use a soft jaw vise.
- Place the steering gear in a vise.
- NOTE:
After the steering gear has been centered, do NOT allow the gear to move from the center position.
Use an open end wrench (1) to rotate the steering gear input shaft (2) to center the steering gear rack in its travel.
- Use the following procedure to verify the steering gear rack is centered:
- Measure distance (a) from the top of the steering linkage outer tie rod to the steering gear boot inner clamp on either side of the steering gear rack.
- Measure distance (b) from the top of the steering linkage outer tie rod to the steering gear boot inner clamp on the opposite side of the steering gear rack.
- Verify both measurement (a) and measurement (b) are equal.
- If the measurements are not equal, turn the steering gear input shaft until the measurements are the same.
Remove any dirt and debris from the torque sensor wiring harness connector (1) and surrounding area and disconnect the connector from the power steering assist motor controller module.
- NOTE:
Cleaning the entire area of dirt and debris will ensure no contaminants enter the steering gear.
Remove any dirt and debris from the steering gear where the steering gear housing (1) and the power steering assist motor (2) mate to the steering gear.
- NOTE:
Place match marks on the steering linkage inner tie rod nut and the steering linkage inner tie rod.
Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Nut (1) - Loosen
Steering Linkage Outer Tie Rod (1) - Remove
Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod Nut (1) - Remove
Steering Gear Boot Outer Clamp (1) - Remove
- Steering Gear Boot Inner Clamp (2) - Remove and DISCARD
Steering Gear Boot (1) - Remove
Using a universal inner tie rod wrench, loosen the steering linkage inner tie rod (1).
- Steering Linkage Inner Tie Rod (1) - Remove
Steering Gear Housing Cover Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD [6x]
Use a rubber mallet to tap on the steering gear housing cover (1) to remove the cover from the steering gear housing. The RTV 2-groove housing is equipped with a single pry tab for convenience.
- If needed, use non-marring plastic trim tool to separate the cover from the housing.
- Inspect the inside of the steering gear housing for contamination and inspect the steering gear belt for any damage.
If there is any contamination in the steering gear housing or the belt is damaged, replace the steering gear.
Power Steering Assist Motor Pivot Bolt (1) - Remove and DISCARD [3x]
Rotate the power steering assist motor (1) in the steering gear housing to remove the steering gear belt tension and then pull the motor toward the steering gear input shaft until the motor is released from the housing and belt.
- DISCARD the belt.
- Using low pressured compressed air, blow any debris from the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt cavity. Do NOT use any cleaning fluid within the cavity as cleaning fluid could remove the grease on the rack bar located inside the cavity.
- NOTE:
If the steering gear housing cover includes RTV, discard the seal that is included in the Motor Kit for this location.
Determine if the steering gear housing cover includes RTV or a seal.
- If the steering gear housing cover includes RTV (1), continue to Step 30.
- If the steering gear housing cover includes a seal / grease (2), continue to Step 32.
- Place a clean lint free towel over the steering gear rack bar to prevent dirt and debris from entering the steering gear.NOTE:
Do NOT use air tools to clean the power steering assist motor sealing surface.
- Using a commercially available abrasive cleaning pad with a grit ranging between 320 and 400, clean the steering gear housing cover mating surface on the steering gear housing to remove all RTV and corrosion.
- Remove the lint free towel from the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt cavity and ensure no debris has entered the cavity.
- Remove and DISCARD the steering gear housing cover seal.
- Using low pressured compressed air, blow any debris from the electric belt drive rack and pinion steering gear belt cavity. Do NOT use any cleaning fluid within the cavity as cleaning fluid could remove the grease on the rack bar located inside the cavity.
When cleaning the rack and pinion steering gear power assist motor sealing surface, ensure that no debris enters the belt cavity. Also ensure that no cleaning chemicals enter the belt cavity. If debris or cleaning chemicals enter the belt cavity, rack and pinion steering gear failure could occur and require replacement of the rack and pinion steering gear.